Everybody Is Included | FOR
FOR 2023: “Everybody is Included”
John 1:14, 13:34-35, Acts 2:22-24,15:1-31
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have LOVED you, so you are to love one another. By this EVERYONE will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35
As followers of Jesus, their is a very subtle temptation all of us face: To substitute DEVOTION for ACTION.
FOLLOWING Jesus is different than simply BELIEVING Jesus. Because from the very beginning the Church began as a MOVEMENT.
Who should be ALLOWED to be part of the Church?
It’s undeniable that there’s a MORAL imperative that is part of following Jesus, and at the same time, there is this incredible message of GRACE.
“Jesus was full of GRACE and TRUTH.” John 1:14
Acts 15:1-31
v.1 “Some men came down from Judea….and they were teaching…unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you CANNOT be saved.”
v.2 “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp DISPUTE and DEBATE with them..”
v.8 “Peter got up and said, God who knows the HEART, showed that HE ACCEPTED THEM by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to US.”
v.9 “He made no distinction between us and them for He purified their HEARTS by FAITH.”
v.10 “Now then, why do you want to TEST GOD, by putting on the necks of the DISCIPLES a yoke that neither WE, nor our FATHERS have been able to bear?”
God can purify your HEART, BEFORE you can purify your life.
If He can do that for ME, He can do that for the people AROUND me.
v.19 “It is my JUDGEMENT therefore that we SHOULD NOT make it DIFFICULT for the Gentiles who are TURNING TO God.
TRUTH or GRACE?
Since the very beginning, in every generation, there has always been a REMNANT. All WORKING TOGETHER FOR the Gospel of Jesus in our world!